Manz Organ

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The Ruth and Paul Manz organ was completed on July 2, 2004. At a question and answer session for staff, faculty and students, "The Church's One Foundation" was the first hymn played on the instrument after its completion.

Installed over two and a half weeks by four crew members from M.L. Bigelow & Company; David Chamberlin, Shayne Ward, Jarvis Rasmussen, and Dylan Young, it is the second-largest organ to date built by the company and is the only Bigelow organ in the Chicago area. Voicing was completed in October, 2004.

History

Dedication of the Ruth and Paul Manz Organ, constructed by M.L. Bigelow & Company, began with an 11 a.m. service on Thursday, November 4. Ruth and Paul Manz, their daughter, Sarah, and members of the LSTC board of directors, joined President James Kenneth Echols and the LSTC community for the formal dedication of the 2 manual, 31 rank, 2-story pipe organ in the Augustana Chapel at LSTC. Daniel Schwandt, LSTC staff musician and 1997 winner of the Manz Organ Scholarship, was the organist for the service.

Lorraine Brugh, Kruse Organ fellow and university organist at Valparaiso University, led a hymn festival in the style of Paul Manz at 8 p.m. Friday, November 5. LSTC’s two choirs led and new. Students, faculty and friends of the seminary read texts on the themes of “Saints Far and Near,” “Saints Then and Now,” “Saints Of and On the Way.”

World-renowned keyboardist David Schrader played the dedicatory recital on Sunday afternoon, November 7, after leading an organ master class on Saturday, November 6. The program demonstrated the versatility of the organ. Dr. Schrader performed pieces by Praetorius, J.S. Bach, Franck and Alain, as well as four settings of Ein feste Berg (including one by Paul Manz and one by Manz’s friend and teacher, Helmut Walcha.)

The plaque on the wall next to the Ruth and Paul Manz organ reads:

The naming of this instrument gratefully marks the ministry of Paul Manz, Artist in Residence and Christ Seminary-Seminex Professor of Church Music, at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago from 1983-1992.

As a unique influence behind the modern revival of the hymn festival, Paul has stirred the lives of thousands across the Church. He and his wife, Ruth, have selflessly offered their gifts to call forth both joyful support and cheerful generosity from those committed to the mission of Christ Seminary-Seminex and the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

Ruth and Paul are honored as gracious, loving and caring contributors to this community for whom its members past and present offer thanks to almighty God – Source of all life, Word of salvation, and Spirit of mercy.

Ruth and Paul Manz Organ Scholarship

Organ students are encouraged to apply for the Ruth and Paul Manz Organ Scholarship. This scholarship was established by Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota, to honor the contributions of both Paul and Ruth Manz to the congregation over the 37 years of their service there.

This annual scholarship is a testimony to the witness of Paul and Ruth Manz to Jesus Christ through the ministry of music and many other expressions of their faith and commitment to Jesus Christ and His Church. The scholarship is intended to be an encouragement to organ students who are preparing for careers as church musicians. The winner will receive $3,000.00.

Application Requirements

Applicants must not have reached their 28th birthday by January 1, 2017.

Applicants must submit together and by the deadline date of July 17, 2017 the application form [PDF], two letters of recommendation, and an unedited compact disc (CD) to:

Hymn, ELW 504, Ein Feste Burg, the isorhythmic version. Utilizing the competition specified hymn tune, improvise a suitable introduction (in the manner of a festive or contemplative chorale-prelude or meditation) and follow with a full performance of an unaltered verse, plus an original altered-harmonization setting of the hymn tune, keeping in mind the text/character of the hymn

The CD used must be of the highest quality designed for recording music and must contain an unedited 'take' of each of the individual segments listed above.

All materials must be postmarked
no later than July 17, 2017.

Support the Scholarship

Friends may also make gifts to fund this scholarship directly online. In the Gift Purpose section at the bottom of the form, please enter the purpose of your gift to be "Ruth and Paul Manz Scholarship Fund."

Contact

Those with questions about this program may also contact the President's Office of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago at 773.256.0728 or at this address:
Patti DeBias
Assistant to the President
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
Email: pdebias@lstc.edu